Portable baby cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A baby cleaning device includes a container and a substantially flat portion attached to the container. The device further includes a cover attached to the flat portion by a hinge portion which allows the cover is movable relative to the flat portion. A first water tank positioned in the container for collecting used (waste) water and a second water tank positioned in the container and configured to contain water for baby cleaning.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present application relates to a baby cleaning device, and more particularly, to a portable baby cleaning device for washing and drying babies.

BACKGROUND

There are many different appliances to aid in the care and cleaning of a baby. A diaper changing table is often found in households. Such a changing table provides a work surface which facilitates the diaper changing task. After removing the diaper, generally, people need to find a bathtub for cleaning the baby. This presents a situation where a person carrying the baby takes time and energy to avoid bumping into edges and doors. Statistics shows that most of accidents related to babies occur in their homes.

Many times, when people are not at home or are outdoors, they have to spend some time to find a suitable place for changing diapers or cleaning their babies. That is to say, it is very difficult for people to hold their babies with wet diapers until they find a suitable place for changing and cleaning the babies. In addition, it is common to find abrasions on the babies' skin caused by wiping with rough tissues or towels, which easily irritate the babies' sensitive skin. Also, the rough tissues or towels do not clean babies' groin well and germs may remain due to the urine or fecal matter from the babies. Although it is better to use water to clean the baby's groin, generally, it is not easy to find a suitable supply of water when outdoors.

A number of devices have been developed for cleaning babies. However, most of these portable devices can only be used in a restroom which is provided with a source of water. Further, such portable devices usually require the use of towels or toilet papers for wiping and drying babies' skin.

For example, Adriano (U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,902) is directed to a portable washbasin for babies as disclosed in FIG. 1. This Adriano portable washbasin requires an additional external source of water to provide water for cleaning babies. Therefore, the users have to find such a source of water in order to clean their babies, which wastes time and energy.

Sauerbrei (U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,803) describes a baby changing and washing station which is placed on a table and must be connected to a source of electricity heater for heating the water reserved in a water reservoir. However, Sauerbrei baby changing and washing station does not provide a dryer for drying babies' body. Therefore, when such station is used outdoors, people have to move this station into a bathroom for toilet papers or have towels with them to dry the babies' buttocks. In this situation, germs may remain on the babies' buttocks after use, which is not healthy for the babies.

To overcome these drawbacks it is the underlying purpose of the present invention to provide a user-friendly portable baby cleaning device for washing and drying babies, which does not need external supply water or any electric outlet.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a user-friendly portable cleaning device that improves on conventional baby bides that are configured to be used with electric and water supply system by providing an all-in-one portable baby cleaning device that can be used anywhere without any electric connection and water supply system.

A baby cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention includes a container and a substantially flat portion attached to the container. The device further includes a cover attached to the flat portion by a hinge portion which allows the cover is movable relative to the flat portion. A first water tank positioned in the container for collecting used water and a second water tank positioned in the container and configured to contain water for baby cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a baby cleaning device;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a waste water tank and a water tank used in a baby cleaning device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematically perspective view showing an embodiment of a baby cleaning device;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken along lines III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 8A is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a spray gun used in the baby cleaning device; and

FIG. 8B is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a motor fan used in the baby cleaning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a baby cleaning device 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the embodiment of the baby cleaning device 10 includes a container 12 containing a waste water tank 30 and a water supply tank 40. The shape of the container 12 is not limited to a substantially rectangular arrangement as shown in FIG. 1. The container 12 includes a front wall 12 a, a rear wall 12 b, a right side wall 12 c and a left side wall 12 d, wherein the right side wall 12 c and the left side wall 12 d are convexly configured with respect to each other so as to fit with a seat 20 which rests on a top of the container 12, and which is arranged to engage with the front wall 12 a, the rear wall 12 b, the right side wall 12 c and the left side wall 12 d. The seat 20 which is used as a cover of the container 12, provides a place for changing babies' diapers and bathing their buttocks and groin areas.

The FIGS. 2-5 describe an embodiment of a baby cleaning device 10 according to the present invention in an exploded view and other four side views. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the right side door 12 c includes a sliding door 70 that is slide open to protect the waste water tank 30 and the water tank 40 from external forces.

Also as illustrated in FIG. 2, a portable motor fan 60 is disposed in a portable motor fan custody space 60′ of the left side wall 12 c. The portable motor fan according to the embodiments of the present invention can be any type of conventional portable motor fans. For example, a portable motor fan is shaped as a gun with 1.5 volt battery operated as shown in FIG. 8B. Compared to a rough towel, a swift and soft wind is much better in protecting babies' delicate skin.

The container 12 is divided into two levels by the water tank 40 and the waste water tank 30 in a vertical direction of the container 12, wherein the water tank 40 is disposed lower level of the container 12 and the waste water tank 30 is disposed on an upper level of the container 12. In particular, the water tank 40 is adapted to be filled with water prepared for cleaning babies, and the waste water tank 30 is provided to be empty and adapted to collect the waste water after baby cleaning. Both the waste water tank 30 and the water tank 40 are removable from to the container 12. The waste water tank 30 receives the waste water from baby cleaning and can be moved out from the container 12 to pour away the waste water when bathing duties are completed.

Non-slip feet 72 are attached to a bottom of the container 12 to prevent the device from slipping. As illustrated in Figures, there are four non-slip feet 72 attached to the bottom of the container 12 at four corners, respectively. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the material of the non-slip foot is rubber.

Seat

The seat 20 has a cover 22 and a main portion 24 reciprocally hinged by a hinge 26 so as to be openable and closable with respect to each other in an open and/or close position of the seat 20. The hinge 26 is also attached to the container 12, for example, attached to the rear wall 12 b to secure the seat 20 onto the container 12. The main portion 24 is configured substantially flat and shaped as but not limited to a general toilet seat.

It should be noted that the shape of the seat 20 is not limited to the shape of the embodiment shown in Figures. Any shape which provides a safe, comfortable, easy to use is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the shape of the cover 22 is substantially the same as that of the main portion 24.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the main portion 24 has a central opening 28 which is configured for receiving a baby's buttock.

In an open position of the seat 20, the cover 22 is opened forward the rear wall 12 b of the container 12 in the longitudinal direction of the seat 20 and is secured in the open position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, the cover 22 in the open position defines, relative to the rear wall 12 b, an opening angle which is large enough to provide a space for a baby. In this way, the cover 22 can be used as a back of the seat 20. The seat 20 can also serve as a bed when the cover 22 is fully opened. In a closed position of the seat 20, the cover 22 is folded down to contact the main portion 24 and the central opening 28 of the main portion 24 is covered by the cover 22.

It should be noted that the opening angel is adjustable. Before cleaning, i.e., taking off a wet diaper, or after cleaning, i.e., put on a new diaper, the cover 22 is used as a back of the seat 20 for supporting the baby's body. A user can simply put the baby on the seat 20 to change the diaper. Alternatively, the cover 22 with the main portion 24 can be used as a bed thereby cleaning babies in a position they are comfortably placed.

Waste Water Tank

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the waste water tank 30 is disposed in the upper lever of the container 12. Corresponding to the central opening 28 of the main portion 24 as described above, the waste water tank 30 has an opening 32 in a top surface 31 of the waste water tank 30. This waste water tank opening 32 is configured to be located under the baby's groin and the waste water can enter the waste water tank 30 through the opening 32 during cleaning the baby. The waste water tank 30 further includes a waste water tank cover 34 detachably attachable on a peripheral portion 29 of the waste water tank opening 32 to cover the waste water tank opening 32. In particular, the peripheral portion 29 of the waste water tank cover 34 protrudes away from the waste water tank cover 6 in the vertical direction and has a thickness which is the same as that of the main portion 24 of the seat 20, therefore, the peripheral portion 29 of the waste water tank opening 32 is engaged with both the central opening 28 of the main portion 24 and the waste water tank opening 32 to provide a substantially flat surface for seating.

Further, the waste water tank 30 has a cut out portion on a right side of the waste water tank 30 and provides a waste water tank handle 36 therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the waste water tank handle 36 is shaped to fit the container 12, especially for the sliding door 70, thereby no additional space for disposition the waste water tank handle 36 needed.

It should be noted that the position of the waste water tank handle 36 depends on the position of the sliding door 70, which can be formed on the front wall 12 a, the rear wall 12 d or the left wall 12 c. Therefore, the waste water tank handle 36 is not limited to be positioned on the right side of the waste water tank 30 as shown in the Figures.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the waste water tank 30 can be made of plastic or other lightweight materials, which makes the portable baby cleaning device moved easily. The material of the waste water tank cover 34 can be made of rubber or other similar materials.

The portable cleaning baby device 10 according to the present invention is designed for use at home and/or outdoors. The waste water tank 30 used at home can be cleaned with water. When the portable cleaning baby device 10 is used outdoors, disposable trash bags (not shown) can be put into the waste water tank 30 for collecting the waste water. Thus, people do not need to find a place to clean the waste water tank 30 outdoors. The disposable trash bags can be made of either general plastic or cutting-edge, biodegradable and environment-friendly pulp. More than 90% of such environment-friendly material will be naturally biodegraded in six months in garbage collection.

Water Tank

The water tank 40 is disposed on the lower lever of the container 12, i.e., under the waste water tank 30 as shown in FIGS. 1-7. The water tank 40 is shaped similar as the waste water tank 30. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waste water tank 30 serves as a reservoir to collect waste water from the water tank 40 a, and the size of the water tank 40 is similar to that of the waste water tank 30. Alternatively it can smaller than that of the waste water tank 30.

The water tank 40 includes a water tank cap 42 that is connectable to a water pipe 44 for transferring water into the water tank 40. In an embodiment of the invention, the water tank cap 44 is positioned to face the sliding door 70, and water can be filled into the water tank 40 by twisting the water tank cap 50 to open and close. Also as seen in Figures, a spray gun 80 is connected to an end of the water pipe 44 for spraying water through a spray gun nozzle 82. The other end of the water pipe 44 is provided with a water pipe inlet valve 50 which is positioned in the water tank 40. The water tank 40 is molded to form a spray gun custody space 82′ for keeping the spray gun 80. An embodiment of the spray gun 80 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8A. In addition, also as the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 2, the water tank 40 provides a water pipe custody space 44′ which is molded with the spray gun custody space 82′ together for keeping the spray gun 82 and the water pipe 44.

To protect the babies' sensitive skin from germs, a bacteriostat such as Silver Na-no™ is supplied to the spray gun nozzle 13 and the water pipe inlet valve 50.

Similar to the waste water tank handle 36, the water tank 40 is configured with a water tank handle 46 so that a user can move the water tank 40 out of the container 12 easily. The water tank handle 46 has the substantially same size as the waste water tank handle 36 and faces the sliding door 70 which is openable to allow a user to grasp the water tank handle 46 and the waste water handle 36. In FIG. 5, the waste water tank handle 36 is formed in a middle of the waste water tank 30, and the water tank handle 46 is formed below the spray gun custody space 82′ and the water pipe custody space 44′.

In one or more preferred embodiments according to the present invention, the length of the main portion 24 in a longitudinal direction of the seat 20 is 13 inches, and a width of the main portion 24 in the transverse direction of the seat 20 is shorter than a width of the container 12. The thickness of the main portion 24 is 0.5 inch. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the seat 12 is in the open state with a maximum opening angle, a length of the main portion 24 and the cover 12, is 27 inches. A height of the container 12 in the vertical direction is 6 inches. A height of the main portion 24 in the vertical direction is 0.5 inch. Also, the cover 12 has a height in the vertical direction is 0.5 inch.

In use, before cleaning a baby, first, open the seat 20 and remove the waste water tank cover 34, and then fold the main portion 24 backward. The cover 22 can be adjusted to be secured at a proper angle. For example, the cover 22 is adjustable to be fully opened substantially as a bed. The baby can be lying on the main portion 24 during changing diaper. To fill water in the water tank 40, the water tank 40 is moved out of the container 12 and the water will be filled therein by twisting the water tank cap 42 open.

During cleaning the baby, the spray gun 80 is used to spray the water from the water tank 40 to bath the baby. The used water will naturally flow into the waste water tank 30 from the central opening 28 of the main portion 24 of the waste water tank opening 32.

After cleaning the baby, the portable motor fan 60 can be used movably to dry the baby's skin instead of using toilet papers or towels.

It will be readily seen by one of skill in the art that the present invention fulfils all of the objects set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, the person of skill in the art will be able to affect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A baby cleaning device comprising: a container; a substantially flat portion attached to the container; a cover attached to the flat portion by a hinge portion which allows the cover to be movable relative to the flat portion; a first water tank positioned in the container for collecting used water; and a second water tank positioned in the container and configured to contain water for baby cleaning.
 2. The baby cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said substantially flat portion further comprises a central opening configured to receive a baby's groin in use, and said first water tank comprises a first hole coincided with the central hole in a vertical direction of the container.
 3. The baby cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a spray element connected to the second water tank by a water transferring member, said spray element is moveable relative to the second water tank.
 4. The baby cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein said spray element comprises a nozzle which is located at an end of the spray element and is adapted to eject water transferred by the water transferring member from the second water tank, and said nozzle is configured to receive a bacteriostat.
 5. The baby cleaning device according to claim 2, further comprising a water tank cover detachably attachable to the first hole of the first water tank and made of flexible and resilient material.
 6. The baby cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a portable fan positioned in a space of the container for drying babies' skin.
 7. The baby cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said first water tank comprises a first handle integrated with the first water tank for removing the first water tank out of the container.
 8. The baby cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said second water tank is located under the first water tank and both said first tank and said second tank are moveable relative to the container.
 9. The baby cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the bacteriostat comprises Silver Nano™. 